Kamala Harris delivers dignified concession speech

Democrat Kamala Harris urged unity in a concession speech at Howard University following her defeat to Republican Donald Trump. The election results prompted foreign leaders and President Joe Biden to congratulate Trump and left Democrats downtrodden after the former president scored victories in swing states.

The vice president used what she called "a law of history," recalling an adage that "only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."

"I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case," she said. "America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, billion stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service."

"This is not a time to throw up our hands," said Harris. "This is a time to roll up our sleeves."

"Only when it is dark enough," she said, "can you see the stars."

Just as she walked in, Harris made her exit to the strains of Beyoncé's "Freedom," filing off the stage with her family.

Harris may have been ending her campaign against Trump, but her concession outlined the contours of future fights against the president-elect.

"We will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square," Harris said, a nod to the work Democrats are poised to do in the next four years.

Harris specifically called out the young people she sought to organize, acknowledging the loss may hurt but that the work is not over.

"Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win. The important thing is don't ever give up," she said. "Don't ever stop trying to make the world a better place."

Harris attempted to focus on the future work Democrats need to do in her concession speech.

"While I concede this election," she said, "I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign."

"I will never give up a fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams ambitions and aspirations," she said. America, she added, "will never give up the fight for our democracy."

Harris urged her supporters to accept her loss in the 2024 presidential election and touted how she would help Trump with his transition.

"Folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now, I get it. But we must accept the results of this election," she said.

"Earlier today I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory," Harris said to a smattering of boos from the audience. "I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power."

Harris told supporters gathered at Howard University that she had lost her race against Trump, conceding to the Republican president who is now empowered by a sweeping mandate.

"The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for," Harris said. "But hear me when I say, the light of America's promise will always burn bright, as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting."

Harris had planned to address an audience like this at Howard on election night and had hoped she would have a more upbeat message to deliver. Instead, when Harris took the stage at her alma mater, she looked out at a sea of America flags and notably forlorn faces. She was flanked by 30 American flags.